Meet Lachlan and Nic, two cousins who share a love of music and are recording a podcast as Nic starts to dive deeper into improving his experiences with listening to music on vinyl. Meanwhile, Lachlan is resisting the pull and the romance of vinyl to stay true to his roots as a reviewer and enthusiast in the digital audio space.

This episode of "In the Groove" delves into the journey of exploring vinyl records and the unique experiences they offer compared to digital formats. Hosts Lachlan and Nic share their personal stories about how they became interested in vinyl, highlighting the ritualistic pleasure and intentionality behind playing records. Nic reflects on his recent foray into the world of vinyl, sparked by a desire to connect with the music he loves in a more meaningful way. The discussion touches on the complexities of vinyl pressings, the differences in sound quality, and the challenges of selecting the right equipment for an optimal listening experience. With a blend of humor and insight, the hosts invite listeners to join them as they navigate the rich landscape of music and audio, uncovering the joys and potential pitfalls of vinyl collecting.

As their discussion unfolds, Lachlan and Nic probe deeper into the implications of the vinyl revival, questioning whether the pursuit of high-fidelity sound is worth the time and investment required for collecting records. Nic expresses a desire to keep his collection small yet meaningful, pondering the criteria for selecting which albums to invest in on vinyl. The two friends explore the idea of how the music listening experience varies based on the format, with Lachlan providing personal anecdotes about the differing sound quality of classic albums on vinyl versus streaming services. The episode culminates in a captivating dialogue about the future of their podcast, hinting at upcoming discussions around music recommendations, the significance of listening rituals, and the joy of discovering new artists together. The chemistry between the hosts, combined with their insightful reflections, makes for a compelling auditory journey that invites listeners to reconsider their own relationships with music and the mediums they choose to explore it through.

Takeaways:

• Lachlan and Nic explore the vinyl experience, discussing its appeal beyond sound quality.
• Nic shares his journey into vinyl, sparked by a gift for his fiancée.
• The podcast aims to investigate whether vinyl offers a superior listening experience overall.
• Listeners are encouraged to join Lachlan and Nic on their audio adventures.
• The conversation highlights the importance of pressing quality in vinyl records.
• Both hosts reflect on the emotional connection music creates through various formats.

Links referenced in this episode:

• discogs.com
• head-fi.org

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• FiiO
• InCar Entertainment
• Discogs
• Spotify
• Tidal
• Qobuz
• Bowers & Wilkins